Fountain pen



May 27, 1930. R. A. FRrrscH FOUNTAIN PEN FiledvOct. 17. 1927 gmc/nt@ Patented -May 27, 1930 1,766,824

Unirse stares enterar craie-e Roc-REL ALEXANDER FRITSCH, oF CHICAGO, ILLINoIs, AssIeNony To JOHN LAwRI'E,

or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS A IEOTJT.\TTA1N PEN Application iled October 17, 1927.4 Serial No. 226,701.

rilhis invention relates to self-filling founrThe filling and writing mechanism of my tain pens of the type that are filled through improved pen comprises a .recipro'cable closthe writing end, and aims to provide a pen ing and point-carrying member 9 (hereinthat may be filled by a single complete strolre after called the point-carrier as a convenient 5 of the piston, and characterized by large ink designation) external to the lower end of the 55 capacity in proportion to its size, by simbarrel, and normally seated in the socket 8. plicity of construction, and by absence of The point-carrier is connected by means of openings other than at the writing end. the axial stem 4 to a. piston 1'() which, when Other objects and advantages will be apparall the elements are in writing position, is in a ent from the following specification and acthe upper end of the barrell. @o companying drawings which illustrate ein- The piston 10 is preferably made in the hodiments of my invention. form of a fiat cylinder, screwed or otherwise In the drawings, throughout which the securely fastenedonto the stem 4, the upper same reference characters refer to like parts, end ofthe stem being .iiush with the upper E.; Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central section of side of the Jiston. rl'he piston is made selfc5 a preferred form yof my pen, showing the sealing by circumferential kgrooves V11, or relative posit-ions of piston and barrel at the other suitable means. Y Y completion of the filling stroke; The barrel 1` may be externally threaded Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing near its point, as at 22, for the attachment of a modified form; Y a cap 23. A shoulder 24fwithingthe cap abuts 70 Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 arecross-sections 0n against a ring-shaped lug 13 on the outsidev lines 3 3, 4-4, 5h5, and 6 6, respectively, of the point-carrier 9, and this lug may be of Fig. 1, Figs. 3 and 6 being taken in the provided with annular grooves 24, forming direction of the arrows; and Y Y a seal against inlr leakage. Similar annular i! Fig. 7 is a cross-section on line 7-7 of grooves 26 may be provided on the front of 75 Fig. 2. the bushing 2 to restrain side creeping of Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the preink thereupon. ferred form'of my fountain pen comprises The point-carrier 9 in the embodiment a barrel 1 of uniform interior cross-section, shown is made in two parts, and includes a Ili free from openings or movable parts 'exsleeve 12, externally divided about the niid- 8o `cept at the lower or writing end. A tubular dle by the circumferential ring-shaped lug bushing or end plug 2, screwed or otherwise 13 (which preferably is of the same size as secured in the lower end of the barrel, forms the face of the bushing 2), the portion outa continuation thereof and closes it except side of or below the lug 13 being cylindrical,

LJ for a. relatively small central axial aperture and that above or inside of the lug being 85 53 it communicates.

3. of circular cross-section, outwardly flared tapered to correspond with and seat firmly in at the inner end and which serves as a. guide hel conical recess 8. Within the sleeve l2 for the axial piston stem 4, extending a feed piece 14 is held,.preferably by a fricthiough it. The stein 4 closes the aperture tion fit, sufficient clearance (as at 15) being "i3 3 except in its inmost position, and is longileft between the inner face of the feed piece eo" tudinally perforated, as atl and 6, the perand the transverse face of the recess 8 so forations 5 being closed a-teach end but open that ink may flow across the' inner end vof at the side near each end, while thelperforathe feed piece. The outer end of this feed tion 6 is open only at the ends. The barrel piece 14 projects beyond the sleeve V12, formtute an ink reservoir 7. In the outer end end is securely held between the'feed piece of .the bushing 2 isa frusto-conical recess or and the sleeve. Said Vprojecting outer. end socket 8` narrowingupward from the lower is extended at one side in the usual manner, end` coaxial with theaperture 3 with which forming a pen point support. A capillary inlr duct 17 extending, from the inner end 160 and its associated 1 closingjelements constiing a support for a pen point 16 who-se inner 95 Gli cf the feed piece 14, beneath the pen point to just short ofthe outer end of the supporting portion, allows feed of ink to the point when writing. Another ink kpassage 18, inclined inward at an acute angle to the duct 17, leads from .about the middle of said ductto the'interior of the feed piece 14 connecting with the opening 28 in the passage 5 in the stem 4. A passage is formed longitudinally through the feed piece 14 by two holes of different sizes, 19, 20, which aline end to end but are not necessarily coaxial. The outer end of the central stem 4 is screwed or other- *ise suitably secured in the inner of these, 19,V which is the larger, in such manner as to bring the `longitudinal perforation 6 intol registry with the smaller hole 20, providing a vent for escape of air from the portion of the reservoir 7 above the piston l0.

The stem 4 is sized to make a sliding butv ink-tiffht fit in the hole 3, but is cut away at its outer end on one side, as at 21, Figs. 1 and 4, to-permit flowof ink from the reservoir into the space 15 above Vthe feed piece 14, and so to the duct 17, when in its normal innermost position. The side openings 27 and 28 near the inner and outer ends of the longitudinal perforation 5, (Figs. 1, 3 and 6) permit flow of ink, during `filling, inwardly through the successive passages 17', 18 and 5 into the reservoir 7.. f Y

lThe modied formof my pen illustrated in Fig. 2, comprises substantially the same elements and arrangement as are shown in Fig. 1, the principles of operation being the same. For this reason only such parts as differ from the corresponding Vparts of the form shown in Fig. 1 willbe described here- The bushing 31, the tapered recess 32, the

Ytapered sleeve 33, and the feedv piece 34are all longer than the similar elements in Figa 1. rl`he stem is composed 0f two concentric tubes, of which the inner 35, is considerably longer than the outer, 36. This inner tube is screwed or otherwise fastened through the piston 37 at its inner end, and into the feedV piece 34 at its outer end, and is open only at its ends. The 'outer tube 36 is suliiciently larger than the inner tube to allow an ink passage 38 between thetwo. One end of this outer tube is fastened into .but not through the pistony37, so that the passage 88 is closed4 at the inner endY by the piston. 1 A side opening 39 adjacent to the piston allows inky to enter the reservoir 40. g Y A v15in axial passage extends through the feed piece 34. The outer endof the outer tube 3,6 screws or fastens Votherwise into the inner end of this passage, about three-fourths of the adjacent length of the `passage being substantially thesame Adiameter as the inside of the' outer tube, as at 41., Fig. 2. rllhe innerv tube is fastened, by screw threads or otherwise, into the feed piece at the endof theken-y larged portion of the passage 41, the axial passage being continued through to the outer end of the feed piece by a bore 42 of the same diameter as the inside diameter of the inner tube.

rEhe external circumference of the outer writing, but this apertureis ofa size to makeA a close sliding fit with the main length of the tube as soon as the filling stroke begins. v

' It will be understood that the inner tube 35 serves as an air yent when filling and that the passage 88 similarly serves as an ink passagerinto the reservoir in the same manner as the. passages 6 and 5, respectively, in the form of pen illustrated in Fig.. 1.

The clearance space 45, ink Yduct 46, and inclined passage 47, correspond in function to the clearance space 15, ink duct 17 and inclined passage 18, respectively, of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

I For facility in grasping the pen, the periphery of the annular lug 48 may beknurled, as at 49.

In all embodiments of my invention the' various elements may be either integral or assembled of separate pieces, as preferred, and the assembly may be made in any suitale and convenient manner, as by screw threaded engagement, friction fit, or the like.

lt will be'understood that mutually consistent elements from eitherform of my pen herein shown and described may be combined otherwise thany as shown without departing from the spirit ofv my invention. ln particular, the bushing, tapered recess, and sleeve in either form`may be either long or short, as preferred, provided always that the tapered surfaces be of suliicient area and at a suitable angleto grip the sleeve firmly in the bushing, so that the point-carrierwill be rigid with respect to the barrel while writing, and to make an ink-tight joint.

lt will be noted that this rigidity is fur thered by the provision 0f arrelatively large tapered recess and a` relatively large tapered surface preferably made integral with the point `carrier as shown, and having manipulating flange or surface of a relatively large `diameter whereby the tapered surfaces may be firmly' forced together for arigidv and inktight fit, and wherebyany danger of breaking the more delicate parts of the pen when attempting to pullout the point carrier is i avoided. Thus', this construction permits the useof a'relatively small'piston rod with consequent increase in the reservoir capacity, as the rod isat no time under any greatstrain (it'being provided with a Vfreely sliding,

though substantially ink-tight lit with its bore, as Anoted above) and as a .firm `grip, may be obtained onv the flange to slightly turn the tapered surfaces on one another to Yfirmly seat, or readily separate, the same, without verse force as would tend to break or injure the pen.

rThe filling of my presentform of pen is accomplished by ay single complete stroke of the piston relative to the barrel, comprising one movement of the piston from inner to outer end of the barrel and back to the inner end. This lling stroke is conveniently made by holding the barrel in one hand and the circular lug in the other, the pen point being in the air, pulling the barrel up until the inner Y face of the bushing is stopped by the piston,

then immersing the pen point in ink and pushing the elements together again until the sleeve seats securely in the tapered recess. t will be observed that the beginning of the out stroke brings the full diameter of the stem into the central aperture through the bushing, thus cutting oif exit of ink through the Writing ioW channel. During the outer half of the filling stroke esca-pe of air or ink or both in the reservoir is, how-y ever, permitted by the ink intake passages. Ingress of air through the air vent passages prevents the formation of a vacuum inthe upper part of the barrel. Although the lower part of the point-carrier may be submerged in ink during outward portion of the filling stroke, so that ink may be sucked up into the space above the piston, no damage will result, because this ink will merely be forced out through the same channelv during the return portion of the stroke, which fills the reservoir, and as this channel terminates below any point on the pen grasped either in Writing or filling the same, there is no danger of soiling the ngers with any ink which may issue therefrom due to suoli intake, or to leakage past the piston Which might develop after long use. Thus piston packing may even be entirely dispensed with in favor of the simple sealing grooves l1, as noted above, and repair work is minimized.

On the return half of the stroke the barrel is pushed downward, creating a vacuum beloiv the piston, drawing ink into the reservoir through the inclined aperture, the appropriate channel of the central stem, and the opening just below the piston. The ink inflow channel of course communicates freely with the ink supply by Way of the normal pen point orifice, and the length and capillarity of the point carrier ink feeding channel, and the fact that it affords but a restricted and indirectJ communication between the ink inflow passage and the atmosphere, effectively prevents any sucking in of air during the filling operation, so that the reservoir may be substantially entirely filled by a single complete instrolie of the piston, inasmuch as the central tube cuts off all communica-V tion between the reservoir and the exterior save through the filling passage during the hlling operation. kThis communication is cut off until completion of the filling stroke when the contracted portion of the central tube,

cornes Within the opening of the bushing, permitting the flow of a quantity of ink suflif cient for Writing. i

lVhile I have shown and described my invention for use With the usual typelof pen point, it will be understood that any other Writing element, such as a stylus, not inherently incapable of use in combination With the other features of the invention, may be employed. p

From the foregoing it Will be seen that I have invented a fountain pen of simple construction, free from valves, springs or sacks, and having no openings in the upper part or the sides of the barrel.thus avoiding the liability of leakage. By reason of simplicity of construction my pen is capable of being cheaply manufactured, and is durable `and not easily put out of order. By virtue of the tapered fit ofthe closing member in the bushing, no screw threads or lugs are required to hold the closing member in place and no twisting motions are necessary before or after the filling stroke as Would be required With screw threads, bayonet joints, or lugs. It Will be observedthat the iiow of ink during the filling stroke of my pen is through a channel having no sharp change of direction until the outlet at the inner end` of the central tube is reached,so that inflovvr of ink is not retarded. r his gives, an efficiency of action resulting in complete lilling of the reservoir at a single stroke.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description of m Y invention is to be taken in an illustrative hut not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A fountain pen comprising in coinbination, a barrel and a bushing which constitute a rigid cylindrical reservoir having an opening only in the Writing end, a hollovvstem adapted to slide in said opening, a piston upon one end of said stein adapted to bereciprocated thereby in said reservoir, a point@ carrier external to said reservoir upon the opposite end of saidstem, said point-carrier bef,

ing adapted to vseat in said'bushing, and ink and. air channels through' saidpoint-carrier and through saidstem into said reservoir.

2. in a self-fillingfountain pen, in combination, a rigid reservoir open only at Vthe point end, a bushing forisaid end, a pointcarriernormally seated in saidbushing, a close-fitting piston normally positioned inthe inner end of said reservoir, a hollow stein connecting said point-carrier with saidpiston, a. feed channel through said point-carrier, a filling channel through saidV point-carrier and through said stein, and an air vent through said point-carrier, through said stem,aiid through said piston.

3.' In a self-filling fountain pen, in combination, a. rigid barrel, abushing forming therewith an ink reservoir, a tapered recess in the outerend of said bushing, a point-car-` i ervoir, and filling means associated with said piston whereby to practically entirely fill said reservoir by a single move-nient of said piston from the lower to the upper end.

thereof.

5. A fountain pen comprising, in conibination, a barrel solidly closed at one end and having at its other end` an end member provided with a relatively small axial aperture terminating externally in a relatively` large inwardly tapered recess, a piston within said barrel, a hollow stem attached thereto and extending through said aperture and of such size as to be freely slidable therethrough but'with a substantially inl; tight lit, a point carrier attached to said stem outside said barrel 'and provided with a surface to compleinentarily-seat in said recess and an enlarged manipulating flange, a channel in said point carrier A communicating with said hollow stein, an opening in said hollow stein for establishingl communication between said stem and the interior of said barrel, and means for feeding ink from said barrel to said point carrier, substantially as and for the purposes described. n

6. A fountain pen comprising, in combination, a barrel solidly closed atY one end and havinoat its outer end an end member ro-A videdbwith a relatively small axial aperture terminating externally in a relatively large inwardly tapered recess, a piston within said barrel, a hollow stem attached thereto and extending through said aperture and of such size as to be freely slidable therethrough but with a substantially iiilr tight fit, a point carrier attached to saidstem outside said barrel and provided with a surface to complomentaii y seat in said recess and an enlarged manipulating flange, a channel in said point carrier communicating' with said hollow stem, au opening insaidhollow stem for establishing communication between said steinY and-the interior of said barrel, and means coiiiprisiiiga*channel opened 'past said barrel 'end member and Vcominiiiiieating with said point carrierwhe'n said tapered surfaces are seated for feeding inlrffroni said barrel to said point carrer, substantially as and for the purposes described. Y

7. A fountain kpen comprising, in combination, a. barrel solidly closed at one end and having at its other end an end member provided with a relatively small axial aperture terminating externally in a relatively large inwardly tapered recess, a piston within said barrel, a hollow stein attached. thereto andy extending through said aperture and oi suon size as to be freely slidable therethrough but with a substantially inlr tightfit, a point carrier attachedto said stein outside saitL barrel and provided with a surface to compiementarily seat in said recess and an enlarged manipulating flange, achannel in said point carrier communicating with said hollow stem, an opening in said hollow stein for es-` vided with a relatively small axial aperture terminating externally in a relatively large inwardly tapered recess, a piston within said barreh'a hollow stein attached thereto and extending through said aperture and of such size as to be freely slidable therethrough but with a substantially ink tight fit, a point carrier attached to said stem outside said bai'- rel and provided with a surface to complementarily seat in said recess and an enlarged manipulating flange, a Channel in said point carrier communicating with said hollow stem, an opening in said hollow stein for establishing communicationbetween said stem and the interior of said barrel, and means comprising a reduced portion of said stein adapted to extend through said aperture to the bottom of said recess when said tapered surfaces are seated and a communication from the bottom.

of said recess to said point carrier for feeding inl; from said barrel to said point carrier, substantially' as and for the pui-poses described. 1 y

9. In a fountain penyin combination, a rigid barrel, a bushing forming therewith an ink reservoir and having a relatively small aperture, a relatively large inwardly tapered recess in the outer end of said bushing and coaxial with said aperture,a point carrier adapted to fit iirmly within said recess, a piston reciprocable within said barrel, a Vrigid stein connecting said piston and said point carrier and.V of such size as to be freely slid- `able through said aperture but to have a. substantially ink-tight lit therewith, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said point carrier.

10A fountain pen comprising in coinbiy nation, a barrel and a bushing which constitute a rigid cylindrical reservoir having an opening only in the Writing end, a hollon7 stem adapted to slide in said opening Without binding, a piston upon one end of said stem adapted to be reciprocated thereby in said reservoir, a` point-carrier external to said reservoir upon the opposite end of said stem, said bushing being provided With an inwardly inclined binding' surface, said point-carrier being formed With a portion complementary to said binding surface and arranged for engagement therewith, and inl; and air channels through said point-carrier and through said stein into said reservoir.

ll. In a self-filling fountain pen, a rigid barrel closed at one end, a bushing at the other end forming With said barrel an ink reservoir and having an aperture, an inwardly inclined binding surface at the outer end of said bushing7 a point carrier formed to engage with said binding surface with a closing lit, a piston reciproeable Within said reservoir and a rigid lilling tube between said piston and said point carrier easily slidable through said aperture.

l2. As an element in a self filling fountain pen of the type in which there is a piston filler adapted to be actuated from the Writing end of the pen barrel to lill the pen by a single stroke from one end of the barrel to the other, venting means for the space on the side of the piston opposite to that part of the barrel comprising the ink reservoir, said venting means opening to the exterior of the pen at a point adjacent the Writing end thereof and beyond any part of the pen normally grasped in Writing with, or in filling' the same.

13. As a sub-combination in a self-filling fountain pen of the type in which there is a piston filler including an element relatively movable with respect to the barrel assembly t0 be manually actuated in the filling operation and a finger grip element formed on the part to be manually actuated adjacent a point of possible leakage between the relatively movable element and the barrel assembly, a portion on said barrel assembly in opposition to part of said relatively movable element, and a series of ridges formed on one of said opposed parts to aid in preventing any leakage which might'occur at said point of possible leakage from reaching the surface of said finger grip element. v

In testimony whereof, I have signed my naine to this specification.

ROCKEL ALEXANDER FRITSCII. 

